Administration
Administration
Dr. Jonathan Gannon
President
(602) 944-3335, ext. 231[email protected]
President Gannon began his work at SAGU American Indian College in June 2021. Dr. Gannon holds a Doctor of Ministry in Missional Leadership and a Master of Divinity from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Missions Studies and Biblical Languages from Evangel University. His additional studies include Cross-Cultural Ministries and Biblical Languages from North Central Bible College and Israel College of the Bible.
Dr. Joseph Saggio
Executive Vice President (SAGU AIC) and Administrative Dean of the College
(602) 944-3335, ext. 244[email protected]
Dr. Saggio has been involved in ministry, writing, and higher education for nearly forty years having taught at six different institutions as well as served for ten years as a youth pastor and lead pastor. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President for the SAGU AIC Campus and Administrative Dean of the College. An educator with a pastor’s heart, Dr. Saggio cares passionately for students’ academic and spiritual development and believes that the two should work together. He and his wife Nancy have a great love for Native people and have grown to appreciate their tribal contributions and value systems that greatly honor experience, balance, wisdom, and practical knowledge. He holds a B.A. in Speech Communication from California State University, Fresno; an M.A.in Religion (Contemporary Ministries) from Azusa Pacific University, another M.A. in Religion (Biblical Studies) from Vanguard University of Southern California, and an Ed.D. from Arizona State University in Higher and Adult Education. He also did summer post-doctoral studies at Harvard University in higher educational leadership. Dr. Saggio loves a great cup of strong coffee, enjoys long walks in quiet settings, reading, and is an avid fan of NCIS, The Big Bang Theory, Hawaii Five O, historical documentaries, and travel. He has been to more than thirty five countries on five continents including Belgium, Ireland, Brazil, Paraguay, France, India, Cuba, Norway and Iceland. Dr. Saggio is passionately committed to equipping Native Americans and others for a life of Christian service in order to fulfill their destiny.
Rev. Joel Cornelius (Oneida Nation)
Vice President for Student Development
(602) 944-3335 ext. 223[email protected]
As the newest member of the Executive Team at SAGU AIC, Rev. Joel Cornelius, a seasoned Native Christian leader, brings 35 years of experience as a network presbyter, elder, coach, and local church pastor in Montana, North Dakota, and Arizona. This coupled with 25 years of service as a staff chaplain and board member for the Montana Indian Youth Camps has given him tremendous insight into the needs of Native American youth of various tribal backgrounds. Most recently Pastor Joel has served as the Lead Pastor at Tuba City Assembly of God where he saw the church more than double over the six years of his leadership there. Much of the growth and success was in the lives of the church’s young people. As a 1989 graduate of (then) American Indian Bible College he knows the importance of school, having served for many years on the SAGU AIC Board before being asked to serve as the Vice President of Student Development for this campus. He is frequently in demand as a guest speaker in various venues including revivals, church services, youth camps, etc. Pastor Joel holds a B.A. in Ministerial Studies from (then) American Indian Bible College and is currently enrolled in the Master’s in Organizational Leadership at SAGU. President Gannon and the entire SAGU AIC family enthusiastically welcomes Pastor Joel Cornelius to his role here at this campus.
